Number of downs after the penalty

In American football, the phrase “number of downs” refers to the number of times following a penalty that a team can move the ball forward 10 yards in the direction of the end zone. The play will be repeated, but the team will lose a down if a penalty is levied against the offensive team while it owns the ball during the play. If the offensive team receives a penalty while on first down, for instance, the down is replayed, but this time it is second down rather than first down.